SRC-SLL S.B. 1518 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1518 By: Truan International Relations, Trade & Technology 4-1-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas does not have an entity dedicated to assist partnerships between private and public entities seeking to develop or disseminate high technology products or concepts. This bill will create a Texas High Technology Partnership Center at the Geo-Technology Research Institute. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1518 creates a Texas High Technology Partnership Center at the Geo-Technology Research Institute. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 149, Education Code, by adding Section 149.006, as follows: Sec. 149.006. HIGH TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP CENTER. Requires the GeoTechnology Research Institute (institute) to establish and operate a Texas High Technology Partnership Center (center). Requires the operating budget, staffing, and activities of the center to be approved by the board of directors of the center. Sets forth the purpose of the center. Requires the advisory committee on science and technology (committee), if the governor appoints a committee, to also serve as an advisory committee to the center. Authorizes the advisory committee to suggest to the center areas that private and public high technology partnerships should pursue and to be asked by the center to review or evaluate proposals submitted to the center. Authorizes the institute to accept funding for the center under Section 149.005. Authorizes the center to use funds, unless otherwise restricted, to award grants or funding to private and public partnerships or to provide matching funds to a private and public partnership. Sets forth regulations for the awarding of grants or funds to private and public partnerships. Provides that the purchasing requirements for goods and services of the General Services Commission, including Subtitle D, Title 10, Government Code, do not apply to the purchase of goods or services by the center under this section. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.